School On Quest To Aid Students

Seminole County public school students at risk of not graduating could get an extra boost when Quest Academy opens its doors in January.

The school, at Airport Boulevard and State Road 46A in Sanford, will offer a smaller, more personalized, academically focused environment for ninth- and 10th-graders.

Sixty to 75 ninth-graders are expected to be enrolled in the initial classes.

By the beginning of the 2005-06 school year, a 10th-grade curriculum will be added, and the student population is expected to increase to 120 ninth- and 10th-graders.

The goal is to keep the student-teacher ratio at 20-to-1, Principal Mike Icardi said.

The intimate environment will allow teachers and staff to monitor students' classwork as well as situations at home that might affect their education.

Students might be attracted to the school for its individual attention, but the later starting time also is a selling point. School hours are expected to be from 9:15 a.m. to 4:15 p.m., and bus service will be available to those living more than two miles away.

Students who should consider attending Quest are those who have fallen behind in credits, have less than a 2.0 grade-point average or those who have been retained.

"Our goal is to have these kids competing with their peer age-group level," Icardi said. "We don't want to just get them through. We want to get them on a level playing field."

Students aren't forced to attend Quest. It's a choice they and their parents make, Icardi said.

Parents sign a contract saying they will encourage their children, provide the necessary supplies, communicate with the staff, submit a monthly home-progress report and participate in school activities at least five times a year.

Potential students also are required to sign a contract, promising to attend class unless there are serious health or family reasons. They also promise to prepare, make an effort to reach personal goals, accept personal responsibility for their success in school and respect other students and staff.

"Nobody can come to this school unless they choose to and make an effort to be accepted," Icardi said. "If you don't want to be here, then we don't want you."

Before taking over the reins at Quest Academy, Icardi, 48, was at Lake Brantley High School for 22 years. He was a dean for about five years and assistant principal for the past eight.

"This is one of those opportunities you see maybe once in your life," Icardi said. "I believe in this school, or I wouldn't have left Lake Brantley."

Icardi landed the job as Quest's principal through his work on a task force that looked into ways of increasing the graduation rate of Seminole County public school students.

"Our district's graduation rate is excellent compared to the rest of the state, but we can still use improvement," Icardi said. "It was 81.4 [percent] last year, but that leaves 18.6 that don't make it."

He said the best way to improve those statistics is to catch students as early as possible.

"This school is not for the 18-year-old with six credits. It's for the ninth-grader who has fallen behind," Icardi said. "We're trying to get to them before it's too late, and I'm willing to do what it takes to help them be successful on tests, in school and on jobs."

Applications are available at high-school guidance offices or by calling 407-320-4790.